Knitting Together - The heritage of the East Midlands knitting Industry
         
 

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Organisations & Associations


Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters
The knitting industry, like many other industries, developed a range of organisations and associations to support its companies and workers. This theme provides details of the associations that brought employers together to organise and regulate the trade as well as the unions that fought on behalf of the workers for better conditions. Improvements in the industry were also brought about by the various research bodies and training organisations that supported the industry.
Board of Arbitration and Conciliation for the Hosiery Trade
The mid-nineteenth century saw a period of prosperity in the knitting industry. Framework knitters were in demand and they were, therefore, able to lobby for higher wages. After a series of strikes in Nottingham in 1860, employers and employees agreed to discuss the situation and try to prevent further disputes between the two groups.
East Midlands Clothing and Textiles Cluster (EMCAT)
EMCAT was formed in 2002 by the East Midlands Development Agency to provide support to the clothing, textile and footwear industry in the East Midlands.
East Midlands Textile Association (EMTEX)
EMTEX was founded in 1994 as a support organisation for the textile industry in the East Midlands. The East Midlands region houses the largest cluster of textile companies in the UK and Europe, with over 85,000 people and 2,300 companies working in the industry in the early twenty first century.
Knitting Industries' Federation
The Knitting Industries' Federation (KIF), the national trade/employers organisation for the UK knitting industries, was launched in 1970 as the successor to the National Hosiery Manufacturers' Federation, incorporated in 1942 to provide, for the first time, a strong national voice to central government and others.
Knitting, Footwear & Allied Trades Union (KFAT)
see National Union of Hosiery & Knitwear Workers
Knitwear and Lace Industry Training and Research Association (KLITRA)
KLITRA was founded in 1982 as the national training organisation for the knitting lace and narrow fabrics industry. The organisation offers a range of training courses aimed at enhancing the skills of people working in the industry.
National Union of Hosiery & Knitwear Workers
The National Union of Hosiery Workers was founded on 1 January 1945 as the result of a merger between the five Midlands hosiery unions (Leicester, Hinckley, Nottingham, Ilkeston, Loughborough).
Union Society of Framework Knitters
Gravenor Henson, a Nottingham point net knitter, formed the Union Society of Framework Knitters in 1812. Unlike many early union leaders, Henson aimed to secure a wide membership base and fight the cause for all framework knitters rather than just one sector of the industry.
Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters
The Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters
After the death of William Lee in France around 1614, his brother and workmen returned to London to set up a framework knitting industry there. The industry expanded and framework knitters worked together to develop rules and controls for the benefit of the industry.
 

 

   
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